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Archetype Chitragupta

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About Chitragupta

Chitragupta is the Hindu Deity entrusted with keeping records of deeds committed by human beings in their sojourn on Earth.
He is also fondly referred to as the ‘Bookkeeper’ by human beings and Gods alike. All human beings are accountable for
their actions on the Earthly plane and Chitragupta weighs the pros and cons of every individual before deciding if they
deserve a place in Heaven or go straight to hell. Since Hindu mythology strongly advocates the role of ‘Karma’ in deciding
what path a person ascends after his/her life on earth, all deeds committed by the individual are carefully considered
and only then can the right path be determined. This is precisely the role Chitragupta assumes, to create a log of all
beings and decide their fate after they shed their mortal coil.

Legend associated with Chitragupta

Chitragupta owes his heritage to Lord Brahma, who is his father. Brahma is one of the three Gods in the holy trinity of Hinduism
and revered as the Creator. Yama, the God of death and the seventeenth creation of Brahma was initially entrusted with
the task of maintaining the records of the dead, but was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the numbers. This led to
his taking several wrong decisions which resulted in chaos. He duly beseeched Brahma to provide him with an able assistant
to whom he could entrust this task.

Brahma realized the importance of the matter and entrusted the task of maintaining the affairs of the Universe temporarily
to Surya, the Sun God, while he pondered over the same. After a staggering 11,000 years of deep meditation, Lord Chitragupta
finally emerged from the mind and body of Brahma. He appeared with a pen and paper in his hand, wielding outstanding
skills in the role of the Heavenly bookkeeper. Since he was born in secrecy, he was named Chitragupta (hidden picture).
Nothing escaped his vigilant eye and not a single deed went unnoticed. Chitragupta is also credited with being the first
to use letters. He was married twice, to Dakshina Nandini and Erawati Shobawati with whom he fathered twelve children
in all.

How Chitragupta is worshipped

This divine being with outstanding powers of managing celestial records of the entire human race, is worshipped in several
temples in India. Pooja (known as Dawat or inkpot) and Homas are conducted in his honor, along with offerings of books
and pens.

Other offerings include honey, jaggery, plates made of leaves, yoghurt, vermillion, brass utensils, betel nut
and sandalwood paste. Before conducting the Puja, the place should be thoroughly cleaned and sweets should be prepared.
A Swastika is drawn on the ground and an earthen lamp is lit. Ablutions are carried out on Chitragupta’s idol and vermillion
is applied on his forehead. Books and stationery items are kept in front of the idol and people chant Mantras dedicated
to Chitragupta. Many write Mantras in a bid to replicate his deeds and also offer flowers as a mark of respect. On completion
of the Puja, sweets are distributed as Prasad and all the papers, devotees wrote in his honor are immersed in a water
body.

Temples of Chitragupta

Several temples in India are dedicated to Chitragupta, notable of which are in Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad in Andhra
Pradesh and Udaipur in Rajasthan. Three more temples dedicated to Chitragupta are located in Bihar in the districts of
Hajipur, Raxaul and Muzzafarpur.

Chitragupta was born with astute skills in the art of administration and keeping records, which greatly enhanced his prestige
among the Gods and even human beings who acknowledged him as an accomplished custodian of human karmic registers. He
blesses his devotees with knowledge, wisdom and an analytical mind which is essential to lead a fruitful life even today.
All his teachings are highly relevant, especially in the modern world which relies heavily on the administrative and
management skills of a person.